NFL: Tidbits from Week 9

Texan coach Gary Kubiak said QB Matt Schaub took several illegal hits in Sunday’s game against the Vikings, including one from DE Jared Allen, who dove into Schaub’s knee as teammate Kevin Williams hit him high. "Obviously, it's illegal to go low on the quarterback," Kubiak said during an interview on a Houston sports radio show, "and we have three plays that we turned into the league as of today, and we'll wait to hear back. (Allen) was definitely down there low, and Matt took some tough shots." Schaub was sacked three times and knocked down on several other times before leaving the game for good; he will miss 2-4 weeks with an MCL tear.

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Bill RB Marshawn Lynch missed the entire second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Jets due to nausea. Which is appropriate, since Buffalo’s inability to run the ball lately has been sickening. Buffalo gained only 30 yards on 17 attempts against the Jets, and Lynch had a career-low 16 yards on nine attempts. The biggest problem is the inconsistent play of the offensive line. The Bills have the tallest and heaviest line in the NFL, but it has been overmatched in recent weeks.

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Judging by his recent play, QB Tyler Thigpen just might be in the Chiefs’ picture next year even if they draft a quarterback with their high draft pick. TE Tony Gonzalez said Thigpen is “on his way” as an NFL-level quarterback. “I'm not gonna jinx him and say he's arrived, but he can play effectively at this level," Gonzalez said.

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With starting tailback Earnest Graham (knee) and veteran backup Warrick Dunn (both) both banged up, along with two injured fullbacks, the Bucs are going to use their bye week to get healthy and possibly get Carnell Williams back on the field. The Bucs have until next week to activate Williams (knee-PUP list) or put him on injured reserve. Coach Jon Gruden said they will put Cadillac in pads against practice-squad guys this week and see how he looks. "He has a great look in his eye,” Gruden said of Williams. “He is very confident, I think, in his knee and what he has put into this … We will see what Earnest and Warrick's health status is and we will make that decision next week, but there is a possibility that (Williams) can help us, and that would be really exciting."

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Packer QB Aaron Rodgers is facing criticism from his head coach for the first time in his career. Mike McCarthy was not pleased with the red zone performance of the Packers in Sunday’s loss to the Titans, Rodgers in particular. "We had a number of minus decisions down there,” McCarthy said. “We need to do a better job of taking what the defense gives us, staying within the offense," McCarthy said. "But our decision-making was poor as a whole in the red zone.” McCarthy also said that RB Ryan Grant should have been featured more near the goal line.